Agriculture
Onion prices fall by 15% due to lack of export demand
India lifted export ban on onions, impacting domestic and international markets. Exporters face limited demand with Indian onions more expensive than Pakistani onions due to $550 per tonne minimum export price. Overseas buyers stocked Pakistani onions, leading to a crash in prices.
Google Arts & Culture and India's Ministry of Agriculture launch digital exhibit on millets
"The digital exhibition highlights the history of millets from ancient grains to modern-day superfoods, as well as their nutritional benefits, contribution to global climate resilience, and potential to address global food security challenges," a release added.
Bad news for chai lovers! Heat wave worries reach North Bengal as tea biz suffers
Certain districts of North Bengal are experiencing high temperatures, adversely affecting the tea crop. Under these conditions, the tea bushes turn red, and leaf growth ceases, leading to a 30-35 percent crop shortage in the industry. Satish Mitruka, a tea planter from Siliguri, told ANI that tea thrives best in temperatures between 28-30 degrees Celsius, both for quality and quantity. Any temperature above this range is unfavorable for tea growth.
Potato prices likely to be on hot plate till year-end
Trade sources from Uttar Pradesh, the largest producer of potatoes, said the government has already launched a drive to see whether the cold storage facilities in Agra, the centre of the state's potato trade, were hoarding the tuber to jack up prices. "Once the election is over, there will be state-wide monitoring of the movement of potatoes," one of them said.
Tea Association of India flags a strange phenomenon
Tea Association of India (TAI) stated that the strange phenomenon of drop in crop production with no concomitant rise in prices is in stark contrast to the 2020 scenario when drop in production due to covid closure caused a sharp rise in realization of tea prices.
Government's stance on sugar exports amidst industry demands
ISMA seeks sugar export despite surplus, impacting closing stock projections. Central government prioritizes ethanol over export, aiming to build reserves. Sugar prices rise despite production surprises, with 2024-25 forecast dependent on monsoon.
Production of tea down all over India by 13 million kg
Tea industry in season 2024 faces challenges with production declines, weather issues, and financial stress. Darjeeling sector seeks relief package for survival amidst declining yields and prices.
India extends free import of yellow peas till October
India extends duty-free yellow peas import until October 2024. In April-February FY24, the import of yellow peas was $235.92 million as against $0.14 million in FY23.
Centre asks states to exclude stubble burners from MSP benefits this year onwards
Centre implements Supreme Court suggestion to exclude stubble burners from MSP. Punjab, Haryana to tighten enforcement as paddy cultivation areas rise. CoS directs 'red entry' to bar farmers from benefits, seeking exclusion from MSP operations in 2024-25.
Why lifting of export ban won’t help increase exports or the local prices of onions
Five months after implementing a restriction on onion exports due to anticipated shortages in the rabi harvest, India revoked the ban on Saturday. But this decision is unlikely to significantly impact either export volumes or the reduction of domestic onion prices. Industry sources suggest that the government became aware of growing discontent among farmers, which could potentially influence voting in seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra.
How AI and data can bring another green revolution in India
India faces environmental challenges in agriculture, but AI offers transformative solutions. Precision farming, empowered by AI and big data, optimizes resources and boosts yields sustainably. With satellite data and predictive analytics, farmers make informed decisions. AI aids resource management and environmental conservation, but widespread adoption requires collaboration. Farmers' active engagement with data transforms them from beneficiaries to contributors, ensuring a sustainable agricultural future driven by technology.
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India extends duty-free import of yellow peas by four months
In early December, the central government allowed duty-free imports of yellow peas until March 2024, later to be extended till April and then June. It was part of New Delhi's intervention to cool the prices of the overall pulse basket.
Export ban lifted before voting in Maharashtra onion belt
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Saturday issued a notification permitting the export of onions with the Minimum Export Price (MEP) to $550 per tonne and 40% export duty. A ban on export was hurting the onion farmers in the Western Maharashtra and Marathwada, the area known as the onion belt of the country. These two regions alone produce 40% of the overall onion production of the country.
Above-normal Southwest monsoon chances bring hope for India's agricultural sector: Geojit report
Multiple meteorological organisations are predicting above-normal rainfall during this year's southwest monsoon season in the Indian subcontinent. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts the total rainfall from June to September to be 106% of the long-period average. Last year's southwest monsoon ended with a 6% deficit due to El Nino, causing variations in rainfall distribution. Some regions experienced shortages while others, like West Rajasthan and Saurashtra-Kutch, received ample rainfall. However, 7 subdivisions, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, experienced deficient rainfall.
Onion exports: India lifts ban on sending onions out of the country
India has lifted the ban on onion exports after almost six months. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade set the Minimum Export Price at $550 per tonne. Onions have historically influenced India's political landscape during elections.
With export of oranges squeezed, Nagpur region farmers pin their hope on pulp
Trade tensions near Nagpur impact onion and cotton, affecting orange growers and cotton farmers in Vidarbha. Export policies and market fluctuations pose challenges, prompting farmers to seek alternative solutions like pulp factories amid the crisis.
